Effect of Feeding Urea Treated Rice Straw on the Growth of Crossbred Heifers

Rice straw (2.80% CP) treated with 4% urea at 50% moisture level and stored in open stack for one month contained 8.35% CP. For a feeding trial, 12 crossbred heifers were equally divided into 3 groups. Control group A was fed standard concentrate and green fodder diet. Animals of group B were fed on untreated straw and concentrate while those of group C were fed urea treated rice straw and concentrate. The body weight gains, feed efficiency and cost of feeding were similar in groups A and C. Group B, however, showed significantly lower body weight gains, lower feed efficiency and higher feeding cost. The open stack system of storage of rice straw during ammoniation seemed to be simple and effective.